The on-camera statements by David Wells in Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired were seized upon by Polanskis defense attorneys, who say in court documents that Superior Court Judge Laurence J. Rittenband and Wells engaged in misconduct by improperly discussing the 1977 case behind closed doors.
Wells, who at the time of the alleged misconduct was not the assigned prosecutor on the case, claimed in the film that he spoke to Rittenband before sentencing and told the judge that Polanski deserved prison time.
He claimed that he suggested a way that the judge could sentence the director to prison by sending him to Chino State Prison for a 90-day diagnostic testing, despite a probation officers recommendation that Polanski serve no time behind bars.
“That was not true," Wells told The Times today during a brief interview. “I like to speak of it as an inept statement, but the reality is that it was a lie."
Wells, 71, said that he made up the story, believing that the documentary would never been shown in the United States. The film was broadcast on HBO.
In January, Wells told The Times that he regretted making the statements but never said they were untrue. Rittenband died in 1993. Wells said today that he notified the district attorneys office several months ago that he had lied during the film and apologized for his actions.
He said he decided to make the announcement public after the weekend arrest of Polanski, who fled Los Angeles on the eve of sentencing after pleading guilty to sexual intercourse with a minor.
“Why am I owning up to it now? If Polanski does come back, thats going to be an issue as to whether he can withdraw the plea," Wells said.
